A barrel having a monolithic body comprising an elongate structure extending from a breach end to a muzzle end; a projectile bore extending from a projectile chamber to the muzzle end; one or more elongate recesses formed in the body, wherein each elongate recess is defined by an elongate hole extending from an open end formed proximate the muzzle end; a sleeve positioned around at least a portion of the barrel to encompass at least a portion of the barrel; and a radial ring, positioned between the barrel and the sleeve.

A barrel having a monolithic body comprising an elongate structure extending from a breach end to a muzzle end; a projectile bore extending from a projectile chamber to the muzzle end; one or more elongate recesses formed in the body, wherein each elongate recess is defined by an elongate hole extending from an open end formed proximate the muzzle end; a sleeve positioned around at least a portion of the barrel to encompass at least a portion of the barrel; and a radial ring, positioned between the barrel and the sleeve.

A barrel having a body including an elongate tubular structure extending from a breach end to a muzzle end; a projectile bore extending from a projectile chamber to the muzzle end; and a one or more tubular recesses formed in the body, wherein each tubular recess is defined by an elongate hole extending from an open end formed in an area proximate the muzzle end.

A barrel having a body including an elongate tubular structure extending from a breach end to a muzzle end; a projectile bore extending from a projectile chamber to the muzzle end; and a one or more tubular recesses formed in the body, wherein each tubular recess is defined by an elongate hole extending from an open end formed in an area proximate the muzzle end.

A method of forming a gun barrel is disclosed that includes cold gas-dynamic spraying one or more coatings onto a mandrel. The method may also include heat treating the coating layer(s), contouring the outer coating layer, applying a ceramic top coating to the contoured outer coating layer of the gun barrel, and/or sealing the gun barrel with a liquid metal sealer. The method may also include removing the mandrel.

A method of forming a gun barrel is disclosed that includes cold gas-dynamic spraying one or more coatings onto a mandrel. The method may also include heat treating the coating layer(s), contouring the outer coating layer, applying a ceramic top coating to the contoured outer coating layer of the gun barrel, and/or sealing the gun barrel with a liquid metal sealer. The method may also include removing the mandrel.

A guide system for use in electro-processing a bore of a gun barrel includes a non-conductive external bore guide and a non-conductive internal bore guide. The external bore guide is an adapter that is configured to removably engage the outside of the gun barrel and includes a conduit formed therein. The conduit is disposed such that it is axially aligned with a bore of the gun barrel when the external bore guide is engaged with the gun barrel. The internal bore guide is elongated and includes an axial recess that is sized to seat an electro-processing electrode (an anode). A method for uniformly plating the bore includes moving an anode through the gun barrel at one or more rate(s) of travel to uniformly plate the bore is also disclosed. The plating is sufficiently uniform to conform to military specifications. The systems, methods, support structures, etc. described herein are particularly well-suited to plating small-bore gun barrels.

A guide system for use in electro-processing a bore of a gun barrel includes a non-conductive external bore guide and a non-conductive internal bore guide. The external bore guide is an adapter that is configured to removably engage the outside of the gun barrel and includes a conduit formed therein. The conduit is disposed such that it is axially aligned with a bore of the gun barrel when the external bore guide is engaged with the gun barrel. The internal bore guide is elongated and includes an axial recess that is sized to seat an electro-processing electrode (an anode). A method for uniformly plating the bore includes moving an anode through the gun barrel at one or more rate(s) of travel to uniformly plate the bore is also disclosed. The plating is sufficiently uniform to conform to military specifications. The systems, methods, support structures, etc. described herein are particularly well-suited to plating small-bore gun barrels.

A process of eliminating friction and increasing structural hardness and durability and increasing longevity in the fabrication of metallic structures including at least one mechanical machining device with at least one cutting device, at least one element of material stock, and a reactionary lubricant, the process having the steps of placing the material stock on the working surface of a mechanical machining device, initiating the machining device wherein a cutting device will spin and be used to shape a firearm component, adding the reactionary lubricant to both the spinning drill bit engaged in shaping the firearm component and the firearm component's surface, and by an in situ chemical formation process the firearm component will obtain a layer of graphene formed through the friction, heat, and pressure bearing on spinning drill bit and firearm component surface, reducing the asperities in the material of the firearm component as the component is machined.

A process of eliminating friction and increasing structural hardness and durability and increasing longevity in the fabrication of metallic structures including at least one mechanical machining device with at least one cutting device, at least one element of material stock, and a reactionary lubricant, the process having the steps of placing the material stock on the working surface of a mechanical machining device, initiating the machining device wherein a cutting device will spin and be used to shape a firearm component, adding the reactionary lubricant to both the spinning drill bit engaged in shaping the firearm component and the firearm component's surface, and by an in situ chemical formation process the firearm component will obtain a layer of graphene formed through the friction, heat, and pressure bearing on spinning drill bit and firearm component surface, reducing the asperities in the material of the firearm component as the component is machined.